Parking fines

They may not be law-abiding, but Southeast Missouri State University students who violate parking procedures on or near campus may be putting some of their Economic 101 lessons to use by disobeying the signs.

Problem 1: Parking permits at Southeast cost anywhere from $80 to $140. Some of the parking lots where permits apply are longer walks than from street parking.

Problem 2: The parking fines in Cape Girardeau are currently only $10.

Those two factors have led to rampant disregard of no-parking signs on city streets near campus. Folks who live in the residences nearby have complained for years that their driveways get blocked. But under the current economics, students can get caught up to 14 times for the same price it would take to pay for the most expensive parking permit.

Now a city task force is studying the issue. It has said it will recommend that fines start at $25 and go up to $35 and $45 if the fine is paid a week or month late, respectively.

Raising fines is a good place to start, but an even bigger deterrent would be to call tow trucks to the scene.

One thing should be noted: The university has taken several steps to address the parking issue on campus with extra parking lots and shuttle systems. Aside from laziness, tardiness and law-breaking economics, there's not a good reason to park illegally.